Monday, October 30, 2006
Tailgate party planned for Vectren Community Classic
|
The exhibition re-match between USI and the University of Evansville takes place Saturday, November 4, at Roberts Stadium, and USI is throwing a tailgate party to get fans fired up. Screaming Eagles fans will gather from 5 to 6:45 p.m. in the Hartke Pool parking lot. Alumni, students, employees, and fans are welcome to attend the event. Everyone is encouraged to wear red to show your USI spirit and bring your own chair. Nancy Johnson, director of Alumni & Volunteer Services, said it was estimated that over 1,000 people came to the USI tailgate party before the UE-USI exhibition game in 2004, and this year, even more activities are planned, including inflatables, body-painting, and entertainment provided by the pep band, cheerleaders, dance team, Archibald Eagle, and WSWI AM820. The tailgate party is sponsored by the USI Alumni Association, the USI Varsity Club, USI Staff Council, Student Government Association, and Activities Programming Board. “So many groups are participating,” she said. “It should be a great evening. It’s a sell-out crowd at the stadium for the game, and everyone is so enthused about rooting for USI.” Game time is 7:05 p.m. Vectren, Kenny Kent Toyota and Kenny Kent Lexus are sponsoring the game. "This was a great event for the community two years ago, and we look forward to another packed house at Roberts Stadium to watch the Purple Aces and Screaming Eagles," said Niel C. Ellerbrook, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Vectren Corporation. USI head coach Rick Herdes said, "This match-up is a great way to start the basketball season. The first game in 2004 was everything local basketball fans had been asking for and this year's contest will be no different. The game will be very important in preparing the Screaming Eagles for the regular season, which begins six days later in the Disney Division II Tip-Off Classic." The 2006-07 season will mark USI's sixth season under the direction of Herdes, the winningest active coach in NCAA Division II. He has won more games in his first five seasons at the helm than any coach in the history of the USI men's basketball program. Last year, Herdes' squad was 27-7 overall, won the Disney Division II Tip-Off Classic, tied for first in the GLVC West Division with a 14-5 league mark, and appeared in the NCAA II Great Lakes Regional, advancing to the regional finals. The Screaming Eagles were recently ranked tenth in the Division II Bulletin Top 25 and ninth by Street & Smith's College Basketball. |
Copyright © 2013 University of Southern Indiana. All rights reserved.